8 Real Fixes: Solve iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update

The newest iOS system, such as iOS 26 beta or iOS 18, can afford people some fresh features that the old one doesn't have. But sometimes, the iPhone becomes stuck on preparing update while people are installing the latest iOS 26 beta/iOS 18. It is indeed head-scratching and they have no idea about what to do to fix this issue except waiting. If you also meet with the same problem, don't worry. This article will give you 8 useful tips to 100% resolve the iPhone stuck on preparing update matter. Without dilly-dallying much, let's get started!

Part 1: What Does Preparing Update Mean?

When your iPhone displays the message "Preparing Update," it means the device is getting ready to install the downloaded iOS update. This stage occurs after the update file has been successfully downloaded but before the actual installation begins. During this phase, the system is verifying the integrity of the update file to make sure it hasn't been corrupted. It is also unpacking and decompressing the update contents and making sure your device is compatible with the new version.

The "Preparing Update" process usually takes anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the update and the performance of your device. However, if it takes significantly longer—such as more than 30 to 45 minutes—it could indicate an issue.

Part 2: Why Is My iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update?

If your iPhone is stuck on "Preparing Update", it typically means something went wrong during the early stages of the update process. Here are the most common reasons.

1. Poor or Unstable Wi-Fi Connection: The update can't properly download or verify due to internet issues.

2. Low Storage Space: iOS needs extra space to unpack and install the update.

3. Apple Servers Are Busy: During peak times (like right after a major iOS release), Apple's servers may slow things down.

4. Software Glitch: A temporary bug may cause the system to hang on "Preparing Update."

5. Corrupted Update File: A partial or failed download might get stuck during preparation.

Part 3: How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update?

Now let's try the following 8 methods to fix iPhone update stuck on preparing update.

Method 1: Use iOS system repair programs

Sometimes, simply deleting the previous update files isn't enough to fix an iPhone stuck on the "Preparing Update" screen in iOS 26/18. That's because the issue can reoccur even after re-downloading the update. In such situations, using a professional iOS system repair tool can offer a more reliable solution. TunesKit iOS System Recovery is a powerful tool designed to handle a wide range of iOS system issues, including update-related problems.

Besides, this tool has the fastest speed to fix all kinds of iOS issues without data loss, including the iPhone could not activate cellular data network, iPhone blue line, and iPhone volume low on bluetooth issue, etc.

Here's the specific steps to resolve iOS 26/18 stuck on preparing update issue.

Step 1: Select repair mode. Open TunesKit iOS Repair for Windows. Then you have to make sure your iPhone is connected with the computer and the device has been detected. Next, tap "Start" and choose the "Standard Mode". You have to choose your connected device before following the instructions, which put your device into DFU mode. Finally, click "Next" button.

Step 2: Download and verify iOS firmware. See if your iPhone information including the model version, iOS version, etc.is right, correct it if there's anything wrong. If all information isn't wrong, click the "Download" tab and the firmware package matched to your device will be downloaded. Then verify the package quickly.

Step 3: Fix the preparing update stuck. After the package has been downloaded successfully, you just tap the "Repair" and the application will automatically start to repair your device. Don't disconnect your iPhone until the process is completed.

Method 2: Check Wi-Fi network

When the preparing update is retained on the iPhone, the first thing you need to do is checking whether your Wi-Fi connectivity is strong and if it is disconnected. Head to Wi-Fi in settings to check this and make sure your device is not connected to a public Wi-Fi.

Method 3: Reset network settings

Besides, you can also reset your network settings to make sure a stable network connection. To convert to a stronger and more stable Wi-Fi, you can open the Settings app of your iPhone, then go to General> Transfer or Reset iPhone, tap the Reset button, finally, click the Reset Network Settings button. Follow the on-screen prompt to confirm the reset process, once completed, your iPhone will restart, then you can reconfigure your network.

Method 4: Force close the Settings app

If it is not the matter of Wi-Fi connection, then you could force quit the Settings app to work out the problem of iPhone stuck on preparing update. This method may work because when the Settings application perform improperly, the iOS 26/18 update might be interrupted. To do this, what you should do is just double tap the Home button and swipe up the Settings program among other equivalents running in the background.

Method 5: Delete iOS update

If force quitting the Settings app of iPhone doesn't work, you can try out deleting the downloaded iOS update firmware and try to update it again. Here's what to do.

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone and hit General.

Step 2: Click Manage Storage in the Storage & iCloud Usage tab.

Step 3: Choose iOS 26 or 18 tab.

Step 4: Tap Delete update and confirm the order.

Method 6: Update iOS by iTunes

After the process of re-downloading and installing latest iOS in the sixth way, if your iPhone still staying at the preparing update notification, then you are suggested to update iOS in iTunes. You can first launch iTunes and connect your iPhone to the computer. After that, hit Download and Update button appeared in the message on the screen. Lastly, you just follow the order to complete the process.

Method 7: Force restart iPhone

One of the simplest ways to solve stuck problems like iPhone stuck on preparing update is to force restart your device.

#iPhone 6 and older# press the power and home buttons until the Apple logo is shown on the interface.

#iPhone 7 and plus# hold the power and volume down buttons until the Apple logo appears.

#iPhone 8 and newer# quickly press and release the volume up button first and then the volume down button. Finally hold the power button till you watch the Apple logo.

Method 8: Put iPhone into DFU mode

Putting your iPhone into the DFU mode can also deal with iOS 26/18 stuck at preparing update. But it's worth noting that your data and software on the device will be removed, so you have to back up them before entering DFU mode.

Step 1: Connect iPhone with the computer, then launch iTunes and simultaneously press the Power and Home buttons.

Step 2: Let go of the Home button and holding the Power button at the same time.

Step 3: Release the Home button and wait the iPhone screen gets black.

Step 4: Restore the iPhone in iTunes and the newest iOS is installed by itself.

Part 4: FAQs about iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update

Part 5. Summary

This article has offered you the full solutions to fix iPhone stuck on preparing update. Most of them can be easily operated without requiring any skill, while a few of them like putting iPhone into DFU mode may bring risks to your data. Anyway, you can test them one by one to get your iPhone out of preparing update screen. If unfortunately above 8 ways are unable to resolve your problem at the end, then you can take your iPhone to Apple store to seek professional advice. Lastly, hope this article can be useful for you.